Ultra-Broadband Directional Couplers Using Microstrip with Dielectric Overlay in Millimeter-Wave Band

Nowadays, millimeter-wave systems are being a key factor to develop wide band applications. In this paper, a directional coupler in millimeter-wave band using dielectric overlay is presented. This leads us to technology aspects, in directional coupler design, are key points to achieve the proper response of the circuit. The coupler proposed in this paper covers the 15-45 GHz band and its response has 15-dB coupling-level, 1-dB coupling-ripple and a reflection coefficient better than 10 dB

Design of injection‐locked oscillator circuits using an HBT X‐parameters™‐based model

A load independent X-parameters-based heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) model has been used for the first time in the design and behaviour prediction of injection-locked oscillator circuits. This model has been extracted from load-pull measurements with a large-signal network analyser and, in order to obtain a high oscillator RF power, targeting a load impedance close to the optimum one for HBT maximum output power. A methodology is given to obtain robust injection-locked oscillator circuits with a high-synchronisation bandwidth. Several injection-locked oscillator prototypes have been designed and fabricated, and their measurements compared with the simulations obtained using the X-parameters model. Satisfactory results were obtained when the prototypes were operated as free-running and synchronised oscillators.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. TEC2011-29264-C03-03Xunta de Galicia | Ref. 2012/26

Stretching the design: extending analytical circuit design from the linear to the nonlinear domain

In the design of most electronic circuits and systems, designers use computer-aided design (CAD) tools to guide the design flow. They exploit the ability of CAD tools to perform algebraic operations to compute/ predict circuit and system performance. This is possible because, in most electronic circuits and systems, linear operation can be assumed. The behavior of microwave components, circuits, and systems can, for example, be described in terms of "behavioral" parameters, such as Z-parameters, Y-parameters, and S-parameters. Transformation from one parameter to another is achieved by simple linear algebraic operations [1]. The performance of more complex circuits can be computed via linear matrix operations using the relevant parameters, i.e., Y-parameters for parallel connections and Z-parameters for series connections. More significantly, performance predictions can also be obtained via linear algebra transformations, i.e., the maximum gain, minimum noise figure, potential instability, etc., along with design insight, i.e., gain circles, noise circles, optimum input/output match requirements, and so on [1], [2].Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. TEC2011-29264-C03-03Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. TEC2011-28683-C02-0

Validation of a survival benefit estimator tool in a cohort of European kidney transplant recipients

Producción CientíficaPre-transplant prognostic scores help to optimize donor/recipient allocation and to minimize organ discard rates. Since most of these scores come from the US, direct application in non-US populations is not advisable. The Survival Benefit Estimator (SBE), built upon the Estimated Post-Transplant Survival (EPTS) and the Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI), has not been externally validated. We aimed to examine SBE in a cohort of Spanish kidney transplant recipients. We designed a retrospective cohortbased study of deceased-donor kidney transplants carried out in two different Spanish hospitals. Unadjusted and adjusted Cox models were applied for patient survival. Predictive models were compared using Harrell’s C statistics. SBE, EPTS and KDPI were independently associated with patient survival (p ≤ 0.01 in all models). Model discrimination measured with Harrell’s C statistics ranged from 0.57 (KDPI) to 0.69 (SBE) and 0.71 (EPTS). After adjustment, SBE presented similar calibration and discrimination power to that of EPTS. SBE tended to underestimate actual survival, mainly among high EPTS recipients/high KDPI donors. SBE performed acceptably well at discriminating posttransplant survival in a cohort of Spanish deceased-donor kidney transplant recipients, although its use as the main allocation guide, especially for high KDPI donors or high EPTS recipients requires further testing.Rio Hortega contract (ISCIII-11453)Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias - Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (project PI16/0617)Redinren (project RD16/0009/001

Dengue 3 Epidemic, Havana, 2001

In June 2001, dengue transmission was detected in Havana, Cuba; 12,889 cases were reported. Dengue 3, the etiologic agent of the epidemic, caused the dengue hemorrhagic fever only in adults, with 78 cases and 3 deaths. After intensive vector control efforts, no new cases have been detected

Comprehensive cross-platform comparison of methods for non-invasive EGFR mutation testing : results of the RING observational trial.

Abstract Several platforms for noninvasive EGFR testing are currently used in the clinical setting with sensitivities ranging from 30% to 100%. Prospective studies evaluating agreement and sources for discordant results remain lacking. Herein, seven methodologies including two next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based methods, three high-sensitivity PCR-based platforms, and two FDA-approved methods were compared using 72 plasma samples, from EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients progressing on a first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). NGS platforms as well as high-sensitivity PCR-based methodologies showed excellent agreement for EGFR-sensitizing mutations (K = 0.80-0.89) and substantial agreement for T790M testing (K = 0.77 and 0.68, respectively). Mutant allele frequencies (MAFs) obtained by different quantitative methods showed an excellent reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.86-0.98). Among other technical factors, discordant calls mostly occurred at mutant allele frequencies (MAFs) ≤ 0.5%. Agreement significantly improved when discarding samples with MAF ≤ 0.5%. EGFR mutations were detected at significantly lower MAFs in patients with brain metastases, suggesting that these patients risk for a false-positive result. Our results support the use of liquid biopsies for noninvasive EGFR testing and highlight the need to systematically report MAFs. Keywords: NGS; circulating free DNA; epidermal growth factor receptor; non-small-cell lung cancer; osimertinib; tyrosine kinase inhibitor

Walking family: Programme of parental skills during foster care and reunification. Summary of main findings of the Project I+D EDU2014-52921-C2. [Infographics]

Podeu consultar la versió castellana, francesa i portuguesa al recurs relacionat.Walking Family is a support programme for specific parenting skills in foster care and reunification. Its main aim is to promote the acceptance and involvement of the welfare measure and to foster and strengthen reunification. One of the most relevant aspects of the programme is its group methodology, as it can be used to convey effective coping strategies for everyday problems. Walking Family is characterised by three cornerstones of innovation: positive parenting and child welfare, child participation and family resilience. The programme is developed over 5 modules, each containing 3 sessions. Each session offers activities to do with the children, with the parents and with the family as a unit

Los procesos corpoemocionales en los estudios de género y sexualidades

En esta obra se piensa al cuerpo en su vínculo con las emociones y con su correlato social, en tanto que profundiza en la utilización de estas como un lenguaje político y no solo como un asunto exclusivo de la esfera de la intimidad. En esta obra colectiva, dirigida a investigadores, especialistas y profesionales relacionados con la sexualidad, las autoras aportan lecturas que develan la importancia de abordar la vida emocional en los estudios de género, sociológicos y de la cultura. Profundizan en temas como la historia de la salud mental, el amor materno como construcción social, la violencia sexual en los espacios públicos o los derechos de la comunidad LGBTTTI.ITESO, A.C

MixInYeast: A Multicenter Study on Mixed Yeast Infections

Invasive candidiasis remains one of the most prevalent systemic mycoses, and several studies have documented the presence of mixed yeast (MY) infections. Here, we describe the epidemiology, clinical, and microbiological characteristics of MY infections causing invasive candidiasis in a multicenter prospective study. Thirty-four centers from 14 countries participated. Samples were collected in each center between April to September 2018, and they were sent to a reference center to confirm identification by sequencing methods and to perform antifungal susceptibility testing, according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). A total of 6895 yeast cultures were identified and MY occurred in 150 cases (2.2%). Europe accounted for the highest number of centers, with an overall MY rate of 4.2% (118 out of 2840 yeast cultures). Of 122 MY cases, the most frequent combinations were Candida albicans/C. glabrata (42, 34.4%), C. albicans/C. parapsilosis (17, 14%), and C. glabrata/C. tropicalis (8, 6.5%). All Candida isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B, 6.4% were fluconazole-resistant, and two isolates (1.6%) were echinocandin-resistant. Accurate identification of the species involved in MY infections is essential to guide treatment decisions

Nutrición parenteral domiciliaria en España, 2019: informe del Grupo de Nutrición Artificial Domiciliaria y Ambulatoria NADYA

RESUMEN Objetivo: comunicar los datos de nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) obtenidos del registro del grupo NADYA-SENPE (www.nadyasenpe.com) del año 2019. Material y métodos: análisis descriptivo de los datos recogidos de pacientes adultos y pediátricos con NPD en el registro NADYA-SENPE desde el 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre de 2019. Resultados: se registraron 283 pacientes (51,9 %, mujeres), 31 niños y 252 adultos procedentes de 47 hospitales españoles, lo que representa una tasa de prevalencia de 6,01 pacientes/millón de habitantes/año 2019. El diagnóstico más frecuente en los adultos fue “oncológico paliativo” y “otros” (21,0 %). En los niños fue la enfermedad de Hirschsprung junto a la enterocolitis necrotizante, las alteraciones de la motilidad intestinal y la pseudoobstrucción intestinal crónica, con 4 casos cada uno (12,9 %). El primer motivo de indicación fue el síndrome del intestino corto tanto en los niños (51,6 %) como en los adultos (37,3 %). El tipo de catéter más utilizado fue el tunelizado tanto en los niños (75,9 %) como en los adultos (40,8 %). Finalizaron 68 episodios, todos en adultos: la causa más frecuente fue el fallecimiento (54,4 %). Pasaron a la vía oral el 38,2 %. Conclusiones: el número de centros y profesionales colaboradores con el registro NADYA va incrementándose. Se mantienen estables las principales indicaciones y los motivos de finalización de la NPD